participant 8

Guiding Questions:

What are your initial thoughts about the concept of Literacy with ICT (LwICT)?
Over the years I have seen the implementation of ICT in English courses. It amazes me how far some things have changed even within the last 3 years. I see now how much more ICT literate students are. I also see how the use of technology is a great motivator for some students, but have also seen how some new software may make a presentation or project look great, but the concepts/ideas behind it may still be lacking. I see when the use of a new software has another meaning (ie: what is the learning outcome for that course or unit) besides the use of the software it is more successful and I think the student retains the skills better.

What implementation barriers for LwICT do you foresee at Senior Years?
Of course everyone would like to get to one-on-one computing so we don't have to work around schedules, available lab times. I have seen collegues become quite rude and panicky when booking computer lab time. It's like people lining up for Boxing Day sales when there are only 2 of the sale item available. This problem also creates problems in just the organization of the course. Teachers have booked the lab just to get the date and then have to make the course timeline fit into it which may not have been the best time to have used the computers.

What opportunities does LwICT present for Senior Years?
I see a lot of opportunities to vary the process and the products that students can create from one idea/concept presented in class. The challenge is to keep up with what is the latest. I have also been surprised by students already know. Currently the grade 11s and 12s have demonstrated a lot of software knowledge and have felt comfortable enough to just use it without me specifying which program to use.

What professional learning is required initially to prepare Senior Years teachers to begin to use the LwICT continuum?
This process will NEVER END. We try to share via PD sessions, but it is difficult to mandate something to get EVERYONE on the same page. The more effective way is person to person in order to help, educate and convince someone the merits of a useful ICT program; however this is a slow process. We have networked via school e-mails out to everyone, but until I have a face-to-face discussion I myself may not be convinced to truly listen.

What types of ICT do you currently have in your Senior Years classroom?
Grade 12 ELA Tech Comm is now offered in a computer lab. I have blended the Dept's version of the course on Webct. This semester we used a trial use of a Marvin Animation software. We also used free surveys on line as well as fireworks, paint.net, power point for visual presentations.

What types of ICT are available to you in your school, but not in your classroom?
We currently have 6 computer labs ( a school of approx. 1100) and one mobile computer lab. This year because we have eliminated a common lunch hour the computer lab time is a lot more available. During any given period there may be 1-2 available computer labs for teachers to book.

What subjects and grades do you teach and how do you currently use ICT to enhance student learning?
This semester I have grade 12 tech comm with A LOT of ICT use in the course.
I also teach grade 9. I use ICT more teacher delivered in class and have supplemented student assignments with some internet sources (eg: find song lyrics for the poetry unit). I use a blog as a class log to record activities, assignments if a student is away.